Electrolytic apparatus



p 1, 1931- A. E. KNOWLES 1,821,018

ELEGTROLYTI C APPARATUS Filed May 2'7, 1930 2 ShQBtB-Shflt 1 & 5

FIG!

INIENTOR. B A.E.KNOWLES.

91 W Y my.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A. E. KNOWLES ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS Filed May 27. 1950 Sept 1, 1931.

MENTOR B A .EJQTOWIES l atentcd Sept.

u ir-so STATES PATENT OFFiCE Annular EDGAR KNGXVIJES, or nuswaim, ENGLAN ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS Application filed may 27, 930, Serial No. 458,047, and in Great iBritain July ists.

This invention relates to electrolytic apparatus particularly to cells employed on the electrolysis of liquids for the production of gases. I I I 5 In 'th electrolysis of water for the production of hydrogen and oxygen sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (Kalil) are usually dissolved in the distilled water with which the cells are filled sothat a suit-able electrolyte shall be provided and the internal resistance of the cell shall be as as low as possible. Distilled water is fed automatically to replace the water consumed in the production ofthe gases, but the loss of the austic alkali is small under correct conditions of working; I 7 Two dilliculties are commonly met with in working such electrolyte cells commercially:

Electrolyte in the form of a spray of minute' globules of liquid is carried off by the gas and condenses or collects in the gas collecting pipes which are arranged in communication with the g-as'bells above the electrodes of the cell. To avoid loss of alkali and reduction of the density of the solution the electrolyte should be returned to the cell; usually it is left to find its way back against the how of gas through the offtake pipes from the bells.

Froth or scum is often present in addition to electrolyte spray, and the presence of .91% in the olft-alre and collecting pipes for the gas imposes serious back pressure on the gas and causes trouble in the running of the cells. The spray is of course a normal ble can soon be eliminated by blowing away the froth or scum and not allowing it to return to t-he cell. c

To avoid both difiiculties: the'spray running back in opposition to the gas flow and the presence of this froth, Iemploy for each main collecting pipe a pipe which, in addition to serving as a gas passage or space provides a liquid channel along it having no return to the gas offtake pipes leading from the bells. 2

As a preferred arrangement I make the main collecting pipes large relatively to the olftaike or connection pipes from the bells, and I arrange each of the olftake or connection pipes so that it projects within and Well above the bottom of its collecting pipe so that the separate liquid channel is formed in the bottom of the collecting pipe. The separate liquid space could be partitioned off I I by means of a perforated diaphragm if 'desired; but this is unnecessary.

At the one end of thecollecting pipe an outlet pipe for the liquid is provided with its opening flush with the bottom of the pipe, and this outlet pipe is carried down into the electrolyte out-side the gas bells but inside the cell casing or tank. In the end closure of each main collecting pipe a suitable cock is provided having the bottom of its inlet bore level with the bottom of the collecting pipe. The gas connection from each collecting pipe is in the upper wall thereof and usually is arranged near the middle of its length.

In the explanatory drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a cell with the invention applied, in which a large part of the middle of the cell is broken away. Figure 2, is a transverse section.

' In these drawings no details are given of the cell construction which may tollow on any suitable lines. a is the tank or casing, b, b the gas collecting bells for one gas and c, c the bells for the ot'her gas. d is the main gas collecting pipe into which the connection pipes e from the bells b are led. fistihe-main gas collecting pipe into which the connection pipes g from the bells c are led. The gas outi let connections are at h and i respectively. Near the end of eadh collecting d and f, is the liquid return pipe leading down inside the cell tank and in theend wall is :the blow or drawsolf coclrm.

In operation, with this arrangement in' use, the spray canied over with the gas is mostly separated out and collected in the bottom of the collecting pipes d and f instead of in the subsequent gas main.

Instead of the collected liquid flowing back down the offtake connection pipes e and 9 against the gas flow, it now flows along the collecting pipes 65 and f below the gas space therein and is returned by the drain pipe is to the cell 2' outside the bells Z), c. This allows a free flow of gas from the bells.

The provision of the cock min the end of each collecting pipe renders it possible to blow off any scum or froth which may collect therein thus eliminating a cause of back pressure on the gas and at the same time getting rid of soapy mattcr in the electrolyte.

I claim 1. Electrolytic apparatus having means for decomposingan electrolyte contained in the'apparatus, gas bells for receiving the gas thereby released, gas ofitake connections from the bells and main gas collecting means common .to a numberjof bells for each gas, said collecting means being in direct communication with the otftake connections; the main gas collecting means serving vboth as a passage and also as a liquid channel for any electrolyte carried over v by the gas, which liquid channel has no return connection wlth the gas offtake pipes.

2. Electrolytic apparatus having means for decomposing an electrolyte contained in the apparatus, gas bells for receiving the gas which is thereby released,.gasoff-take connections from thebells, and maingas collecting pipes common to a number of bells for each gas, said collecting means being in direct communication with the ofi-take connections, the main gas. collecting pipes each being of large diameter 1n relation to the off-take connections and the ends of the oil-take connections entering and projecting well above the bottom of the respective collecting pipes so as to form a gas space and also a liquid channel in each of said main collecting pipes for any electrolyte carried over by the gas which liquid channel has lecting pipes common to a number of bells for each gas-said collecting meansbeing in direct'communlcation with the off-take con- IIGCtlOIlS, the maln gas collecting pipes each being of large diameter in relation to the off take connections and the'ends of the o it-take connections entering and projecting well above the bottom of the respective collecting V pipes so as to form a gas space and also a liquid channel in each of said main collecting pipes, which liquid channel collects any 7 electrolyte or froth carried over with the gas up the oif-takeconnections into said pipes and conveys it we return drainpipe arranged near the end of each main collecting pipe and leading to the cell tank. 7

4. Electrolytic apparatus having means for decomposing an electrolyte contained in the apparatus, gas bells for receiving the gas which is thereby released, gas ofi'take connections from the bells, and main gas collecting pipes in communication with the off-take connections, the main gas collecting pipes each being of large diameter in relation to the off-take connections and the ends of the off-take connections entering and projecting well above the bottom of the respective collecting pipes so as to form a gas space and also a liquid channel in each of said main collecting pipes, a drain pipe in each main collecting pipe leading to the cell tank and a cock on each of said collecting pipes leading outside the apparatus. j V v 5. Apparatus for the electrolytic production of gases by the decomposition of an electrolyte, in which the usual gas oii-take pipesfor the different gases from the gas re ceiving bells are carried up into and project well above the bottom of the respective main collecting pipe which is relatively large in diameter, and in which a return drain pipe opens from the bottom'oi each collecting pipe and leads back to the apparatus while a cock on eachcollecting pipe leads outside the apparatus.

6. Apparatus for the electrolytic production of gases by the decomposition of an electrolyte comprising in combination means for receiving the gases, gas ofi-take means thereon, main collecting means in communication with said off-take means and means for ALBERT [EDGAR KNow'tEs. 

